Karjat Hill Station



Karjat is one of the most beautiful and attractive escapes from the hustle bustle of Mumbai. This beautiful city is a Municipal Council and a sub-district in Raigad district, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. A scenic village in the Konkan region Karjat is located in the foothills of Matheran. Some of the many activities that make this place famous include tourism, adventure sports, higher education, film shooting, retailing, nurseries & plantation and spa hospitality. Karjat is one of the most famous spots for enjoying numerous types of weekend holidays, picnics, river rafting, trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing. This destination comes into its own during the rainy season. There are N number of farm houses located here which offer wonderful home stay options. The Karjat tourist guide will help you know more about this place.
 
Attractions in Karjat                                                                                          

Ulhas Valley, Karjat:Ulhas Valley is one of the prime attractions from Karjat and is known for its gleaming green look. Its the exquisite lush green beauty which glitters with streams of the Ulhas River that attracts large numbers of travelers from all over the country. This valley has magnificent sights during the monsoon season.

Matheran, Karjat:Matheran is located in the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m above sea level. It is a hill station in Karjat Tahsil and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is located around 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. The name Matheran means "forest on the forehead" of the hills. Matheran takes you over a hundred years back in time when there were no vehicles as is is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed. Matheran: Is located in the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m above sea level. It is a hill station in Karjat Tahsil and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is located around 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. The name Matheran means "forest on the forehead" of the hills. Matheran takes you over a hundred years back in time when there were no vehicles as is is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed.

Kondheshwar Temple, Karjat:Kondheshwar temple is situated in Sandshi which is known for its stunning architecture that altogether makes it an ideal tourist spot. The temple is known for its exquisite beauty and from all over the country large number of travelers like to visit it.

Bahiri Cave, Karjat:Bahiri Cave is well known for its adventurous activities and famous for its trekking options. The cave has its own characteristics and has long and strenuous stretches that make it a challenging trekking destination for all those who love adventure. It is one of the most famous tourist spots around Karjat where one can enjoy a number of activities.

Jain Temple
The Jain temple is situated on the Mahavir Peth road leading to Karjat station, close to the rickshaw stand. It is a small, but beautifully, made Jain temple which caters for the small Jain community present in the area. It is the only Jain Mandir in Karjat. Constructed out of white marble, it is dedicated to Lord Neminath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankar whose idol was adorned with flowers and jewelery, a custom followed by Jains. The entrance is brilliantly decorated with carvings of figures symbolise the Jain faith. The stairs leading to the temple are decorated using colourful stones and patterns on white marble. The upper level of the main sanctum is dedicated to Lord Shantinath, the 16th Jain Tirthankar.

The pillars are all colorful carvings of various figures and the ceiling is dome shaped which is beautifully designed. The most prominent feature of this temple is the Swastika carved wooden door.

Big ND Studios
Started in 2005, it is a major stopover for people traveling to Karjat. Spread over 40 acres in Karjat, it was earlier called ND Studios (Nitin Desai Studios) but Reliance accquired 50 per cent share in it and now it's called BIG ND Studios. Several films, TV serials, commercial ads have been shot here. The studio has open spaces, havelis, forts and two huge floors measuring 240/100 ft for indoor shootings. Jodhaa Akbar, Slumdog Millionaire and Devdas are the popular films that shot here.

Kondana Caves
Kondana Caves are rock-cut ancient Buddhist caves which attract tourists and Buddhist pilgrims throughout the year. It is a one hour trek from the Kondana village. These caves are cut out from a single rock situated at the bottom of a waterfall. Apart from exploring these caves, one can enjoy a shower under the waterfall. But the water can be seen only during the monsoons. According to archaeologists, these caves date back to the 2nd century BC. It is said that there was an earth quake in early 1900 by which many stupas, front entrance and floor of the caves were damaged.

Inside the cave, enclose sculptures, vihara, cahitya and stupas, specimens of ancient Buddhist architecture.

To maintain the sanctity of the place, there are some restrictions on these protected ancient caves. Eventhough, smoking and the consumption of liquor and aromatic foods are prohibited nearby places of the caves, unfortunately, the entire cave area is often littered.

To reach this caves, take a bus or rickshaw from Karjat to direct Kondivade village. From Kondivade proceed to Kondane. From Kondivade to Kondane, it is a 1 hour trek. It is a winding up-hill climb across streams, through green bushes. The way here is narrow and mostly hidden by the plants and trees that grow alongside the path.

Summer Season in Karjat
Summer season in the city starts from the month of March and ends in June. Summer season in the city are quite warm with temperature which ranging between 27 °C and 39 °C. Travelers can avoid visiting the region in the month of April and May due to the hot and humid weather.

Monsoon Season in Karjat
Monsoons starts from the month of July and carries on till September. The season of monsoon provides medium level of rainfall. Generally, travelers like to visit the region in the monsoon as Karjat looks stunning during this time with stunning greenery that can lure anyone at first glance. Monsoon is the best time to visit Karjat.

Winter Season in Karjat
From the month of December to February, the city experiences winter. Usually in winters, the temperature is moderate which lies between 11 °C to 27 °Celsius. At this time travelers can discover some stunning destinations in this region.

How to Reach Karjat

Reach Karjat By Air
The nearest major airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai which is located around 90 km from Karjat. Mumbai (Bombay) is well linked to all major cities in India. The airport also operates direct flights and connects the city with many cities abroad. There are numbers of taxi and buses available from outside the airport that offer comfortable journey to travelers.

Reach Karjat By Road
Karjat is well linked to major or minor cities in and around. There are numbers of bus services are offered by state owned public transport buses. There are many private buses that offer great transport service between Karjat and other neighboring cities which includes Mumbai (70km), Pune (104km), Kolhapur (336km) and Panvel (30km).

Reach Karjat By Train
Karjat is one of the major railway stations which come under the Mumbai railway division. This place is well linked with major parts of the country through Mumbai rail head.

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